Filter suggestions for a 20 gallon

[SmallFishi]

I am going to go shopping or at least looking tomorrow to start getting ready for my new tank set up.
I am not 100% sure if I am going to be getting a 20 gallon (minimum) or a 30 gallon.
I would like a quiet filter that is reliable I do not want to spend a small fortune as I am still new to this but I don't want to cheap out either..
Any suggestions and for which size tank they would suit either a 20 or 30 would be great and I can take the list with me I am going to be shopping at Big Al's which isnt' that close to me but I am going for a special day trip tomorrow to see all their tanks..
Thankyou :)

[H3D]

I would go with an AquaClear 50 or 70.

[Star_Rider]

I would go with an AquaClear 50 or 70.

I second the AC 50 or 70

[jm1212]

a penguin 200 would be great for a 20 gallon

[CoreyMac]

I love my AquaClear.

[fishcatch22]

aquaclears or penguins.

[echoofformless]

Oh I think a penguin 200 would be far too much for a 20g. I put a 150 on mine and the fish thought it was tornado season.

It's too bad they don't make the 125 anymore. May mine never die!

Now to address this question, these threads are always the same. Just people giving their opinions about which HOB is their favorite.

Truth be told, they're all the same. Just buy the one you think is prettiest.

[hmilstead]

When you are shopping around and decide on which filter, heater, etc. Check out Petsmarts online website, print the page of what you want and take it into the store if you have a Petsmart near you. You will save an incredible amount of money versus list price in most stores. Petsmart price matches anything to their own website.

Also, if you get a Penguin 200 and feel that the current is too strong ( I have a 150 on a 10 gallon with a Betta and the Betta does not like fast moving water) you can take some filter floss, cut it down and attach it to the bottom of the filter outflow and it will cut the current.

I have a Penguin 200 and a Whisper 60 on my 55 gallon and don't worry about the current there because I can adjust the Whisper 60 when I am feeding everyone and the larger fish in the 55 gallon don't mind the current.

Good luck,
Heather

[Twiz]

When you are shopping around and decide on which filter, heater, etc. Check out Petsmarts online website, print the page of what you want and take it into the store if you have a Petsmart near you. You will save an incredible amount of money versus list price in most stores. Petsmart price matches anything to their own website.

Also, if you get a Penguin 200 and feel that the current is too strong ( I have a 150 on a 10 gallon with a Betta and the Betta does not like fast moving water) you can take some filter floss, cut it down and attach it to the bottom of the filter outflow and it will cut the current.

I have a Penguin 200 and a Whisper 60 on my 55 gallon and don't worry about the current there because I can adjust the Whisper 60 when I am feeding everyone and the larger fish in the 55 gallon don't mind the current.

Good luck,
Heather

/agree on the website thing. I paid for an Aquaclear 50 at Petsmart and it cost me a tad over $40.00 with tax. By the time I learned it was much cheaper (like under $20) on-line, it was too late to return it. I am fortunate that I can absorb that difference, but I think it is ridiculous they scam those who aren't internet smart. That's not my case, I was just too stupid to figure it out beforehand, but I really feel for those folks, usually older, who don't do the internet.

You can bet when I get ready to move to a canister, I will be fully armed with their website pages of any canister I am interested in...

[attiladahun]

i have an emperor 400 in my 20 gal. it may be kind of overkill, but i keep the flow turned down.

that thing is a beast. it could devour dogs, cats, and small children, but the fish aren't bothered by any current and i got it for cheap

[SmallFishi]

OK i'm home too late to see the Petsmart post and I did pass one but I was waaay too nervous driving in a big city to really get off the road I was on and risk getting lost (i'm not a very confident driver when I don't know where I am..)
So anyway I ended up getting a Marineland 20 Gallon Deluxe Bio wheel Kit. Which I am very pleased with I hope you guys think it is a good choice rather than going with bits and bobs I was very overwhelmed even having some things written down.
It comes with The Penguin bio wheel 125 power filter, full spectrum fluorescent lighting and a Dual Temp 100 watt precision aquarium heater.
And the usual bunk.. net, water conditioners, food, book.. etc.
I also bought a stingray stand with double doors.

I looked at the fish too, they had some beautiful dwarf gourami.
I wont be setting this up until xmas time so it will be a while before it has fish in it.

[cichlidkeeper91]

Yes read my, "Who wants anything cheaper from petsmart then the regular price." Thread. Search it. I think it will really help you with buying what you need at petsmart.

[SmallFishi]

Re: Post 11
The Penguin filter listed on the main kit box is 125 upon closer inspection of the actual filter given it is the 150 i'm glad I was worried the 125 might not be enough for the 20 gallon.